Question about wheels

**zoom** · 11th March 2008, 19:08

Hey all, i just had a question about my Gn250, now i know as far as bikes go its pretty crappy but what i want to know is just how crappy the wheels are. My friend says they are way too squared and hard for any sort of bad weather riding and then when i was on the motorway the other day it started really pissing down. The cars in front of me started breaking and i braked too..i used both brakes and im pretty sure i was really gradual with them but i had absolutely zero grip, it was like being on ice and my bike slid forward, the brakes worked the wheels just wouldnt grip and then it slid out in a big way and i swear i thought i was about to experience my first crash. Anyway what i want to know is if you think that happened cosa something I did (in which case what should i do?), or because of cruddy gn wheels and if so do you think its worth it replacing them on a bike as useless as a gn250? What i really should do is buy a friggen Hornet already...but yea any suggestions would be much appreciated...

**Gubb** · 11th March 2008, 19:17

New rubber would make a world of difference. don't have to spend a fortune on it either, the standard Chinese Tyres are square, and rubbish.

**rainman** · 11th March 2008, 20:18

Hey don't you go being rude about GNs... they're fine bikes, to start on. Apart from the rust. And the tyres. But good little bikes.

The chinese tyres are a bit crap and when I had my GN is admit I had one or two moments of being a little traction-free, always in the wet, but if I'm honest the issue was mostly about skill, and learning to be really gentle with the brakes. Easier said than done, I know, but try not to panic and grab - I know you said you were pretty gradual, but the tyres do mean that you have to be even more careful than on other bikes. Maybe go out and find a big empty parking lot to practice braking in. Start slow and brake in a straight line at gradually increasing speeds until you get a sense of when she'll start to lose it. The do the same in the wet (wear some gear and keep in a straight line...)

The best option is to replace the rubber - any decent tyre shop should help you out there, and it is worth it. I've always found Cycletreads to do a decent job but everyone has an opinion, so shop around.

In the meantime, keep a bigger following distance and ride like a nana...

**AllanB** · 11th March 2008, 20:33

Another thing to be aware of if you are new to riding is that if it has not rained for a few days, when it does the road is very slippery due to a coating of crap left by cars and trucks on the surface mixing with the rain - needs a good wash of rain and a few vehicles to clear the crap off.

**zoom** · 12th March 2008, 07:48

it sounds like its a bit of both my woderful riding skills and bad tyres. I think ill just get new tyres seeing as that wonderful season we call winter is comming and theres no way im gona not be biking every time it rains. What do you recon the cheapest decent tyres i could get that would be better then the standard GN tyres are?Thanks heaps for the advice btw!!!

**bounce** · 12th March 2008, 08:36

nice work on avoiding the wipeout

A mate had several spills on his standard GN tyres and now no longer rides so I would definitely agree with the previous suggestions to replace them - sorry can't suggest a good tyre for the Gn though..
How about also testing out your emergency braking with nothing else around. I swapped from 4 finger to 2 finger braking on the front for my vtr250 after finding that I had a hard time not locking the front up instantly with the initial grab. I also now cover the front brake whenever there is anything else on the road. It can save you a second reaction time.

**NOMIS** · 12th March 2008, 08:41

Originally Posted by zoom

Hey all, i just had a question about my Gn250, now i know as far as bikes go its pretty crappy but what i want to know is just how crappy the wheels are. My friend says they are way too squared and hard for any sort of bad weather riding and then when i was on the motorway the other day it started really pissing down. The cars in front of me started breaking and i braked too..i used both brakes and im pretty sure i was really gradual with them but i had absolutely zero grip, it was like being on ice and my bike slid forward, the brakes worked the wheels just wouldnt grip and then it slid out in a big way and i swear i thought i was about to experience my first crash. Anyway what i want to know is if you think that happened cosa something I did (in which case what should i do?), or because of cruddy gn wheels and if so do you think its worth it replacing them on a bike as useless as a gn250? What i really should do is buy a friggen Hornet already...but yea any suggestions would be much appreciated...

You could just get a hornet, then you can pay $560 on tyres like i do and ring about 20 diff place that have the front tyre or can get one within a week. But then again id stilll have my hornet over 3 gn 250s

**Ragingrob** · 12th March 2008, 08:44

Originally Posted by zoom

it sounds like its a bit of both my woderful riding skills and bad tyres. I think ill just get new tyres seeing as that wonderful season we call winter is comming and theres no way im gona not be biking every time it rains. What do you recon the cheapest decent tyres i could get that would be better then the standard GN tyres are?Thanks heaps for the advice btw!!!

Hey when I had a GN I got some Continental tyres on them that are cheap but are many times better than the originals which are a no-go in the wet!

**swbarnett** · 12th March 2008, 09:31

Originally Posted by zoom

Hey all, i just had a question about my Gn250, now i know as far as bikes go its pretty crappy but what i want to know is just how crappy the wheels are.

Get yourself down to Motohaus and get a set of Avon Roadriders. Best thing I ever did to my GN. Standard GN tyres are more like car tyres than bike tyres. They are just not up to the task.

Motohaus
6 Western Springs Road
Kingsland, Auckland

Telephone: +64 9 815 8384
email: info@motohaus.co.nz

**swbarnett** · 12th March 2008, 09:43

Originally Posted by rainman

the issue was mostly about skill,...

On a learner bike? If anything a learner bike should be more forgiving, not less.

A standard GN corners like shit, can't stop to save itself (or the rider) and the modern ones fall apart.

I got mine new in August 2006 with sport bars (so I could actually sit in the front seat). Shortly afterwards a set of Avon Roadriders because I couldn't take corners properly (and I'm no learner). These two fixed the problems inherent in the GN design. It won't, however, improve the build quality. After only 21000km in 18months it looks like the clutch needs replacing (or at least some of the plates - waiting on Holeshot's final diagnosis).

**zoom** · 19th April 2008, 12:34

So in the end i did get new whees because it wasnt even funny anymore...AND anyone out there that wants to know if new tyres help...oh my frikken god the difference i9s increadible...i feel so much more confident in the rain, i can actually feel myself gripping the road rather then sort of free sliding round corners feeling completely out of control, wow, no more fearing rain i guess!!! awesome i feel so liberated!!!! thanks for all the advice btw..")

**klingon** · 19th April 2008, 13:03

Glad you got the new tyres - that was the first thing I did when I got my Volty (TU250 - virtually the same as a GN250). Amazing what a difference it makes!

Just because nobody has mentioned it yet, also look out for any painted markings on the road. It's as slippery as anything, and if you add a bit of rain and/or some oil you might as well be ice skating no matter how good your tyres are.

I like to play that kid's game where stepping on the lines is bad luck. Riding on the lines is even more bad luck!

Have fun out there.

**homer** · 19th April 2008, 13:06

Originally Posted by rainman

Hey don't you go being rude about GNs... they're fine bikes, to start on. Apart from the rust. And the tyres. But good little bikes.

The chinese tyres are a bit crap and when I had my GN is admit I had one or two moments of being a little traction-free, always in the wet, but if I'm honest the issue was mostly about skill, and learning to be really gentle with the brakes. Easier said than done, I know, but try not to panic and grab - I know you said you were pretty gradual, but the tyres do mean that you have to be even more careful than on other bikes. Maybe go out and find a big empty parking lot to practice braking in. Start slow and brake in a straight line at gradually increasing speeds until you get a sense of when she'll start to lose it. The do the same in the wet (wear some gear and keep in a straight line...)

The best option is to replace the rubber - any decent tyre shop should help you out there, and it is worth it. I've always found Cycletreads to do a decent job but everyone has an opinion, so shop around.

In the meantime, keep a bigger following distance and ride like a nana...

Hey what u mean to start on
im quite happy to ride ours and leave the 1200 in the shed . lol

**klingon** · 19th April 2008, 13:12

Originally Posted by homer

Hey what u mean to start on
im quite happy to ride ours and leave the 1200 in the shed . lol

Yeah Homer I agree. A GN (or a TU in my case) is the perfect little commuter bike. Not so expensive that you spend all day fretting about it in the work car park, good and reliable and easy to maintain. Gotta love them.

**homer** · 19th April 2008, 13:17

Originally Posted by klingon

Yeah Homer I agree. A GN (or a TU in my case) is the perfect little commuter bike. Not so expensive that you spend all day fretting about it in the work car park, good and reliable and easy to maintain. Gotta love them.

there also a really fun bike
more so than the bandit , to a degree
greeny sent